Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR MELTON          

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024

	Grant Adams Adrian Crowther Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Richard Cust, Dr Nick Branson (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Fine

 

Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted. 

 

RACE 1 – WASTE SENSE NMW PACE (1720 MS)

GENERAL

Trainer Joanne Justice was cautioned for failing to notify the tactics for her runners OOH AH LISTAH and MAGIC MIKE NZ.

GIVE DAVE A WAVE – Near the 200m, contacted marker pegs when placed in restricted room to the inside of INVITATION ONLY NZ which was taken in by IDEAL ESCAPE.

OOH AH LISTAH – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

INVITATION ONLY NZ – Near the 200m, tightened to the inside of IDEAL ESCAPE which hung in.

VEE EM GEE MACRAY – Driver James Herbertson was fined $100 under Rule 156(3) for applying his whip in excess of the amount permitted inside the final 200m.

OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH NZ – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Near the 800m, inconvenienced when avoiding the wheel of SERG BLANCONZ as it shifted out and raced inside of its line. Hung in when placed under pressure over the final stages.

IDEAL ESCAPE – Hung in when placed under pressure near the 200m.

SERG BLANCO NZ – Driver Codi Rauchenberger was cautioned for shifting ground near the 800m and raced inside the line of OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH NZ. When questioned regarding the tactics displayed, in particular the decision to remain in the running line prior to being covered by OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH NZ near the 900m, Driver Codi Rauchenberger explained that given her gelding was first up and had only one trial leading into the event, her plan was to drive the gelding with one run and as OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH NZ commenced to improve, she was caught unaware and was covered before she had an opportunity to shift wider without causing interference. Ms Rauchenberger added that once obtaining clear running late in the event, SERG BLANCO NZ found the line well and she was pleased with the run. Stewards advised Ms Rauchenberger that in their opinion, she had erred in her driving when not taking up a position forward of OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH NZ prior to being covered and they would expect greater judgement in further.

RACE 2 – LIONHEART SECURITY PACE (1200 MS)

PICKLE IT – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

ISLAND CAESAR – Post-race swab sample obtained.

OUR CHEEKY DEVIL – Held up for clear running rounding the final turn prior to obtaining a clear run at the 200m.

BREATHE EASY – Out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

VILLAGE VOICE – Hung in during the score up, out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

RACE 3 – RENOWN SILVERWARE 3YO PACE (1720 MS)

RACING WRITER – Shifted ground when placed under pressure over the final stages. Driver Chris Alford was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for applying his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion inside the final 200m.

BLACKINDEED – Held up for clear running until passing the 150m. Post-race swab sample obtained.

BETTES BLUE VIOLET – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

RACE 4 – THE BIG SCREEN COMPANY 2YO MAIDEN PACE (1720 MS)

INDI PARTY MOOD – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

ROLINGINTHEDEEP – Post-race swab sample obtained.  

WILLECO – Near the 200m, commenced to give ground prior to having its nearside sulky wheel contacted by the trailing CARRY ON CORNISH resulting in a flat tyre.

SLOANIE BEL – Hung out and paced roughly shortly after the start for which a warning was issued. Hung out in the home straight with a lap remaining.

YAWOMA – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.

CARRY ON CORNISH – Fractious prior to the start. Held up for clear running rounding the final turn prior to making contact with the sulky of WILLECO which gave ground in advance and broke gait in consequence. At a subsequent inquiry Driver Greg Sugars pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving and was fined $200. In determination of penalty, Stewards took into consideration Mr Sugars’ guilty plea, good driving record and in addition to the fact that WILLECO had given ground.

RACE 5 – NUTRIEN EQUINE 2YO MAIDEN PACE (1720 MS)

IN AN IDEAL WORLD – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

ZENARIO – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Hung in from the 500m before being held up for clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

SHOTINTHEDARK – Raced keenly during the middle stages and near the 900m, hung out. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to utilising the sprint lane.  

VINEY – Hung in rounding the final turn. Post-race swab sample obtained.

PLATINUMS BOY – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 8th position, beaten 53.4m. A post-race veterinarian examination including an endoscopic examination failed to find any abnormalities. In view of the performance a warning was issued.

RACE 6 – HARAS DES TROTTEURS TROT (1720 MS)

FLING IT RAINBOW – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

LADY BE LUCKY – Cast its N/Fore plate during the preliminary with approval granted for the mare to race without the plate.

ALDEBARAN SIMBA – Trotted roughly and lost ground when placed under pressure at the 250m.

APRIL SUN – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Approval was granted for the gelding to race with an underdraw. Out of position at the start and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

RACE 7 – 2CONSTRUCT TROT (1720 MS)

ALDEBARAN SELENA – Weakened over the final 700m to finish in 6th position, beaten 65.4m. A post-race veterinarian examination including an endoscopic examination failed to find any significant findings other than a grade 2 EIPH. When questioned regarding the tactics displayed, in particular the decision to maintain the lead when challenged by THE SKY IS THE LIMIT during the early stages and the lack of obvious restraint during the second quarter, Driver Leilani Justice explained that due to the inside barrier draw, she elected to drive the mare forward at the start with the plan to lead, and after beginning well, she held her position comfortably when challenged by both KYVALLEY SURFRIDER NZ and THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. Ms Justice stated that following the early challenge, she was able to ease the pace during the second quarter, but this was limited given her horse was still travelling strongly. Ms Justice added that near the 700m, the pace in the event quickened with THE SKY IS THE LIMIT improving past her drive and ALDEBARAN SELENA unable to quicken but overall she was pleased in the manner her mare found the line late. On review and having considered the recent and assessed form of ALDEBARAN SELENA, Stewards considered that Ms Justice had erred in her tactics when not taking cover from THE SKY IS THE LIMIT in the early stages following a challenge and recorded first quarter of 28.8 seconds. In addition, Ms Justice displayed a lack of restraint during the second quarter although there had been an easing in the recorded speed. Having considered all relevant matters, Stewards did not consider her driving was one that was culpable and blameworthy.

ATM ACCOUNT – Checked and lost ground from the 700m when positioned behind the weakening ALDEBARAN SELENA.

BALTIC SPIRIT NZ – Near the 1400m, checked and broke gait when crowded between TUBS NOW SLIM and KYVALLEY SURFRIDER NZ which shifted away from ATM ACCOUNT when that runner improved quickly to its inside. As Stewards were satisfied that this incident was not as a result of any careless driving, the incident was reported.  

DALEY WATERS – Began badly when galloping away, trailed the field throughout and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

RACE 8 – CENTRE STATE PRINTING PACE (1200 MS)

SHADY DANCER – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the mare having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

MR TEDDY NZ – Held up for clear running in the early and final stages of the home straight.  

GENERAL LINCOLN – Driver Sergio Lenardi was fined $100 under Rule 156(3) for applying his whip in excess of the amount permitted over the final 200m.  

FERRIGNO – Hung in when placed under pressure inside the final 150m. Driver Ewa Justice was fined $100 under Rule 156(3) for applying her whip in excess of the amount permitted over the final 200m.

ANGEL OF ANGER – Caught wide during the early stages prior to being restrained to the rear of the field and then weakened to finish in 8th position, beaten 53.8m. A post-race veterinarian examination including an endoscopic examination failed to find any abnormalities. In view of the performance, a warning was issued.

Grant Adams

Chair

 

‘This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at the sole discretion of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards as races are reviewed as per the ‘HRV Stewards Internal Review Process’.

 

Raceday Summary

Swabs		Pre-Race:  Race 1 – Ooh Ah Listah, Our Vincent Can Gogh NZ; Race 2 – Pickle It; Race 3 – Bettes Blue Violet; Race 5 – In An Ideal World, Zenario; Race 6 – Fling It Rainbow, April Sun.
		Post-Race: Race 2 – Island Caesar;Race 3 – Blackindeed; Race 4 – Rolinginthedeep; Race 5 – Viney.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 1	James Herbertson		156(3)	$100
Race 3	Chris Alford		156(2)(a)	$200
Race 4	Greg Sugars		168(1)(a)	$200
Race 8	Sergio Lenardi		156(3)	$100
Race 8	Ewa Justice		156(3)	$100
Cautions
Race 1	Joanne Justice		T/CT
Race 1	Codi Rauchenberger		D/CSG
Race 7	Leilani Justice		D/CLJ
Horse Actions
Race 6	April Sun		CODM
Race 7	Daley Waters		CODM
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil